by DDI | Nov 22, 2024 | Parenting, Archives
Time to Fly from the Nest Ginny and I sat on the deck, like we do a lot, and watched the world flow by. A robin flew into the tree… Time to Fly from the Nest Ginny and I sat on the deck, like we do a lot, and watched the world flow by. A robin flew into the tree in the yard. It had a twig in its mouth. “Looks like they’re building a nest,” Ginny said. “I think you’re right.” I watched the robin select a perfect spot and thread the branch into position. A second robin with a twig joined the first. Throughout the next few days, we watched the mates work together to construct a resting place for their soon-to-be-laid eggs. The nest was completed. A few days later, momma bird settled into her new home. The two parents took turns warming the eggs, always aware of the needs of the other and their precious charge. Each knew the other needed nourishment and the eggs needed warmth. It was a perfect partnership. Every hour or less, the two robins traded places keeping the eggs safe, while the other flew off in search of warmth. The rains fell. At night, the temperatures dropped below freezing, but the two robins, who chose a safe position for their nest,
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by DDI | Nov 21, 2024 | Parenting, Archives
When Daddy Prays I could not keep it to myself anymore. I drove all the way to Dad’s office and confessed to him I was in love with a young… When Daddy Prays I could not keep it to myself anymore. I drove all the way to Dad’s office and confessed to him I was in love with a young lady. He asked for her name and description. He kept smiling as I described her to him. Afterwards, we prayed together and trusted God for His leading. Daddy did not say a word. Two days later, my wife said “Yes” to my marriage proposal. I told both dad and mom as a birthday gift for him. My mom smiled and said, “Months earlier when your father went to preach at the Corpers’ Fellowship, he saw her and the Holy Spirit told him then, “Isn’t she the wife of your son?” I was the only unmarried son. So it had to be me. But daddy kept his peace about this and did not utter a word until I told him. I want to talk to men: You must be the priest of your home. Nothing must happen without your knowledge. If your wife is the one waking you up for family devotion and setting the pace, then something is wrong with
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by DDI | Nov 12, 2024 | Parenting, Archives
Advice to Parents About Children A – Always trust them to God’s care B – Bring them to church C – Challenge them to high goals D – Delight in… Advice to Parents About Children A – Always trust them to God’s care B – Bring them to church C – Challenge them to high goals D – Delight in their achievements E – Exalt the Lord in their presence F – Frown on evil G – Give them love H – Hear their problems I – Ignore not their childish fears J – Joyfully accept their apologies K – Keep their confidence L – Live a good example before them M – Make them your friends N – Never ignore their endless questions O – Open your home to their visits P – Pray for them by name Q – Quicken your interest in their spirituality R – Remember their needs S – Show them the way of salvation T – Teach them to work U – Understand they are still young V – Verify your statements W – Wean them from bad company X – eXpect them to obey Y – Yearn for God’s best for them Z – Zealously guide them in biblical truth – Author Unknown Meditation: Train up a child in the way he should
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by DDI | Nov 8, 2024 | Parenting, Archives
Mean Moms Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me: ‘I loved you… Mean Moms Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me: ‘I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home. I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep. I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes. I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren’t perfect. I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart. But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I’m glad I won them, because in the end, you won, too. And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that
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by DDI | Nov 4, 2024 | Parenting, Archives, Family
When Dad was Coming Home One of my earliest childhood memories was that of waiting outside our house for my Dad to come home from work in the evening. We… When Dad was Coming Home One of my earliest childhood memories was that of waiting outside our house for my Dad to come home from work in the evening. We had a long gravel driveway leading to the side of our house and on that same side yard stood a big tree. The tree had some low limbs that we could climb even when we were young – 4 or 5 years old. My brother, Bob, and I would wait for our Dad by climbing up and sitting in a branch of that tree until we could see Dad’s car start to pull into our driveway and hear the sound of the gravel beneath the wheels. When that time came, we would jump down from our tree branch as fast as we could and run over to Dad’s car. We couldn’t wait for him to get out of his car! I still remember the excitement I felt each night anticipating Dad pulling into our driveway, then getting out of the car and giving us, first, his big signature grin and then, quickly after, scooping us up in his arms for
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by DDI | Oct 21, 2024 | Attitude, Archives, Parenting
Take Control of You Mum tucked me in. “Mum, is it really going to snow?” She pulled the blankets up to my chin and kissed my cheek. “That’s what the… Take Control of You Mum tucked me in. “Mum, is it really going to snow?” She pulled the blankets up to my chin and kissed my cheek. “That’s what the weatherman said.” “Will they cancel school?” “It depends. If we get twelve inches like he said, they probably will.” “Great! I don’t want to go to school. I want to play in the snow.” “Now, Michael! Don’t go getting your hopes up. You could be disappointed.” “But the weatherman said.” “Michael, storms are unpredictable.” She patted my hand. “Go to sleep and we’ll see what the morning brings.” She closed the door. The room grew dark. Outside, the wind howled. Sleet and ice clattered against the window. I heard mum walk to the kitchen. It was safe. I rolled out of bed, crept to the window, and pulled the blinds back. Snow swirled beneath the streetlight and spun in circles over the pavement like the sands in a desert. My heart rate increased – no school tomorrow! “Michael, are you in bed?” Mum called out. “Yes, Mum!” I ran back to my bed and pulled the covers up to my
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